GAVIN HENSON will start Wales’ first Test against Australia on the bench as the former darling of Welsh rugby continues his injury comeback trail.

Since landing that famous penalty in the dying minutes of Wales’ Six Nations opener in 2005 against England and propelling the Dragons to their first Grand Slam in over a generation, Henson has been in and out of both club and country starting line-ups because of various injuries.

But now with the World Cup less than four months away, Henson is in line to make another recovery – beginning with the inaugural James Bevan Trophy, named after Wales' first player, the Melbourne-born, Welsh-raised Bevan who was captain for the inaugural international against England in 1881.

Head coach Gareth Jenkins said: “Gavin (Henson) is another player we will need to have a close look at.

“We felt we needed to introduce him slowly, but he his likely to play a part in the game at some stage and we can further assess his progress then.

“He simply has to play rugby sooner or later and he has been going well in training, full of smiles and really helping to energise the squad.”

Wales face back-to-back tests against World Cup group stage opponents Australia, starting on Saturday in Sydney and finishing the following week at Brisbane.

And while Wales have travelled down under with a shadow squad, leaving a number of their front-line players behind after a gruelling season, no-one in the Welsh camp believes the result is beyond them.

Gareth Thomas will lead the charge from the right wing – as he earns his 93rd international cap and becomes Wales’ all-time most capped player.

Thomas, who is all set for a summer move back to Wales and Cardiff Blues after a number of successful seasons in France with Toulouse, has potential new club-mate Chris Czekaj guarding the other flank.

Colin Charvis is following fast on Thomas’ heels with a similarly impressive 84 caps, and more than 10 years international experience.

Adam Jones and Iestyn Thomas make up the front row alongside Rees, and Aussie native Brent Cockbain partners Rob Sidoli in the second row after coming back from a serious injury.

“With Colin it’s a case of us looking to him to reproduce his regional form on the international stage,” said Jenkins.

“We are looking for players of his versatility – like Jonathan Thomas he is capable of covering each position in the back row and he is without doubt a player of outstanding ability who could put his hand up on this tour.

“On a final note it was sad to find out Gareth Williams has to leave the tour. He too has made an impact with everyone and he will be bitterly disappointed to miss out.

“This team has a huge incentive with Rugby World Cup squad places up for grabs.

“And both sides will be looking for victory to gain psychological advantage before we meet in the World Cup.”